Criminal investigation against Mbete's lawyer closed

JOHANNESBURG - National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete's lawyer in the Nkandla matter, Lindi Nkosi-Thomas, says the criminal investigation against her has been closed.

According to News24, the Public Protector's office was asked by South African Airways (SAA) to halt its investigation into Nkosi-Thomas, pending a fraud case against her, which was the subject of a police investigation.

Recently the lawyer made controversial submissions at the Constitutional Court when defending Mbete during the Nkandla case.

The lawyer has told Eyewitness News that there was a frivolous complaint against her, and the criminal case has been closed, saying she will not comment further.

Thuli Madonsela's office had started an investigation after documents were secured from SAA and from Nkosi-Thomas, but it paused when it was discovered the matter was a subject of litigation in the Labour Court.

It's understood the criminal matter relates to an incident that occurred in 2013 when a man lodged a complaint of unprofessional conduct against her at the Johannesburg Bar Council.

It was at the time when SAA was considering the validity of an agreement to hire four consultants, the board had decided that due processes were not followed and that the contract must be terminated.